Who is more deserving of leading the prayer
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The second question of Fatwa No. ( 18772 )
Q 2: There are residents in our town who are in charge of the religious rites, and they lead the people in prayer when the imam is absent, but they are not proficient in memorizing the Noble Qur'an , and most of the praying congregation have the Qur'an memorized by heart. When they approach to lead the prayer, the resident in charge of the rites says to them: "I am the employee responsible for leading the prayer, and the government wants no one but me to be your imam." What is the ruling on an imam whom the praying congregation dislikes?
A 2 : If these mentioned individuals do not make errors in the Qur'an that change its meaning, and they are appointed by the authorities, and advancing ahead of them to lead the prayer would result in fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) - then there is no harm in praying behind them, even if
others are better than them in recitation; in order to avert fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and unite the word. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 2: There are residents in our town who are in charge of the religious rites, and they lead the people in prayer when the imam is absent, but they are not proficient in memorizing the Noble Qur'an , and most of the praying congregation have the Qur'an memorized by heart. When they approach to lead the prayer, the resident in charge of the rites says to them: "I am the employee responsible for leading the prayer, and the government wants no one but me to be your imam." What is the ruling on an imam whom the praying congregation dislikes?
A 2 : If these mentioned individuals do not make errors in the Qur'an that change its meaning, and they are appointed by the authorities, and advancing ahead of them to lead the prayer would result in fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) - then there is no harm in praying behind them, even if
others are better than them in recitation; in order to avert fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and unite the word. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.